The levels of higher fatty acids in the blood plasma and erythrocyte membranes were assessed in 25 children aged 3 to 15 years with severe traumatic lesions of the brain. The study was conducted with the purpose of deriving criteria indicative of the depth and severity of traumatic damage to the brain. The most informative parameters having diagnostic significance were established. The results of the studies performed suggest that it is advisable to include drugs containing essential fatty acids into the complex of therapeutic measures.